New Cardiologist Delivers Quality Care With a Dose of Heartfelt Compassion
Originally published in the Tri-City Voice on February 21, 2017
When asked why she decided to become a noninvasive cardiologist, Catherine Dao, MD, responds, “Becoming a cardiologist gave me the opportunity to combine my passion for the science of cardiology with my desire to help people lead healthier lives. I have always been fascinated by the anatomy and physiology of the cardiovascular system, and the many advances in cardiovascular medicine in recent years have made me even more enamored by the profession.”
Joining Washington Township Medical Foundation (WTMF) in January, Dr. Dao now brings that passion and expertise to residents of the Tri-City Area.
“In general, noninvasive cardiologists focus on diagnosing and treating a wide range of cardiovascular conditions using external tests, medications and procedures, rather than inserting instruments into the body,” she explains. “I care for adult patients with a wide range of cardiovascular conditions, such as coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, heart valve disease, arrhythmia and diseases of the heart muscle known as cardiomyopathy.”
Dr. Dao earned her bachelor’s degree in molecular cell biology at the University of California, Berkeley and then went on to attain her medical degree from Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York City.
“My experience in New York was great,” says Dr. Dao, a native Californian who was raised in the Sacramento area. “I worked at hospitals in Queens, the Bronx and Spanish Harlem. Working with diverse populations helps underscore the need to respect people of various cultures and the health care issues they face.”
The allure of returning home to California, however, proved stronger than Dr. Dao’s attraction to the Big Apple. She completed her internship at California Pacific Medical Center in San Francisco, and a residency in internal medicine at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. In 2009, she became a post-doctoral fellow at Stanford University Medical Center, where she completed a research fellowship in cardiovascular imaging funded by the National Institutes of Health and a clinical fellowship in cardiac MRI. She remained at Stanford for an additional fellowship in cardiovascular medicine.
“My extensive training in research and clinical care at Stanford both expanded my knowledge base and gave me expertise in the latest scientific advances in cardiovascular medicine,” she notes.
Prior to joining WTMF, Dr. Dao practiced noninvasive cardiology at the Community Hospital of Monterey Peninsula in Monterey.
“I wanted to come back to the Bay Area so I could be closer to the rest of my family,” she notes. “I was attracted to WTMF, in particular, because of its emphasis on patient-focused, high-quality care. In addition, the foundation connects me to a network of primary care doctors and other specialists. I believe in minimizing unnecessary invasive interventions whenever possible, but I recognize that some cases require surgical procedures or other treatments that I can’t provide. Being connected to the WTMF network of physicians helps me review all available treatment options with my patients and refer them to the proper health care provider.
“I strive to deliver evidence-based, quality care that is personalized and tailored to each individual’s needs,” she adds. “I seek to develop a respectful, compassionate relationship with all my patients while providing them with the skills, knowledge and motivation to take a proactive approach to improving their health. I try to promote wellness and a healthy lifestyle by advocating a ‘heart-healthy’ diet, regular exercise and modification of risk factors.”
In her spare time, Dr. Dao enjoys spending time with family and friends. She also pursues hobbies such as cooking, international travel, visiting wine country and hiking along California’s coastal trails.
“I also am an avid Golden State Warriors fan,” she confesses as yet another reason to return to the Bay Area.
Dr. Dao’s clinical practice is located at 2287 Mowry Avenue in Fremont. If you need help finding a physician, visit the Washington Township Medical Foundation website at www.mywtmf.com and click on the tab for “Your Doctor.”